Compliments to Life

Compliments to Life

1. Properties of Matter

   • The true properties of matter travel down to the chemistry and chemical reactions that make such properties work.
     • The most basic unit of matter, the atom, is broken down into three subatomic particles: protons (+), neutrons, and electrons (-).
     • Elements with single atoms can merge as compounds. They can be further combined through chemical bonds.
       • Ionic Bonds are when one or more electrons are completely transferred over to another atom.
       • Covalent Bonds are when two atoms share electrons.

2. Properties of Water and suitability for Life

   • Water is a unique fluid that has many properties, and therefore is a vital part of sustaining life.
     • Polarity-Water has a positive and a negative charge, known as a hydrogen bond.
       • Because of the hydrogen bonds, cohesion takes place. Cohesion is when molecules of the same substance are attracted. It allows animals to sometimes move on the surface of water, like this spider.
       • Adhesion is an attraction between molecules of different substances attract.
       • Hydrogen bonds also allow for heat capacity. It take a lot of heat energy to make water molecules move, which is why water is essential for regulating heat temperature within our bodies
       • water is a good solvent, allowing it to dissolve substances. Therefore, it is vital to have water for metabolism in our bodies.

3. Chemical reactions and enzymes

   • Chemical Reactions transform chemicals into others or new ones, and hold many different properties from their original states.
     • The elements or compounds that are initiated into a chemical reaction are called reactants. The resulting chemical/substance is called a product.
       • As shown in photosynthesis, water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight are the reactants required to produce oxygen and sugar.
     • Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions.

4. Importance of carbon to life

   • Carbon has 4 valence electrons, allowing it to bond strongly with many other substances. It also bond with each other, serving as the near limitless backbone of most creatures.

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